Braille Display Input Commands

JAWS supports a series of keystrokes that allow you to input braille commands and also control your computer (see BrailleIn™ description below). Below are keystrokes that support Freedom Scientific’s Focus braille displays. For other braille displays, contact the manufacturer for a list of keystrokes.

Modifier Keys

Use the modifier keys to simulate key combinations (keystrokes) that include CTRL, ALT, WINDOWS Key, SHIFT, or the JAWS Key (INSERT). To use these modifiers when typing a keystroke, do the following:

  1. Hold down DOT 8 CHORD and then press the corresponding modifier keys in the keystroke. Modifier keystrokes are listed in the following table.
  2. After you create the modifier portion of the keystroke, release the keys and press the remaining part of the keystroke. For example, to perform the keystroke CTRL+SHIFT+V, you press DOTS 3-7-8 CHORD, release the keys, and then press V (DOTS 1-2-3-6).

Modifier Keys
Key Name Keystroke
Function Keys (F1 through F12)
For more information, see the Function Keys description.		 DOT 1
INSERT DOT 2
CTRL DOT 3
WINDOWS Key DOT 4
JAWS Key DOT 5
ALT DOT 6
SHIFT DOT 7

Function Keys

To simulate the function keys (F1 through F12), press DOTS 1-8 CHORD followed by A through L (which correspond to 1 through 12). For example, to simulate the F6 key, press DOTS 1-8 CHORD, then F (DOTS 1-2-4). If the function key is part of a key combination, add the appropriate modifiers while holding down DOTS 1-8 CHORD. For example, to simulate the keystroke INSERT+F2, press DOTS 1-2-8 CHORD, then B (DOTS 1-2).

Special Keys

Use these keystrokes to simulate certain keys that are not available on the Focus braille keyboard. These keys can be combined with the modifier keys described previously. For your convenience, both keystrokes and braille dot patterns are provided. If no dot pattern equivalent is available, a dash appears in the table cell.


Special Keys
Key Name Keystroke DOTS Pattern
ESC RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 1 or Z CHORD RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 1 or DOTS 1-3-5-6 CHORD
ALT RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 2 -
APPLICATION Key RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 2 CHORD -
NUM PAD ASTERISK RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 3 -
WINDOWS Key RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 4 -
NUM PAD SLASH RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7 RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7
CAPS LOCK RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7 CHORD or RIGHT SHIFT+K RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7 CHORD or RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3
NUM PAD PLUS RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 8 -
BACKSPACE DOT 7 -
ENTER DOT 8 -
CTRL+BACKSPACE DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 CHORD -
TAB DOTS 4-5 CHORD -
SHIFT+TAB B CHORD DOTS 1-2 CHORD
HOME K CHORD DOTS 1-3 CHORD
END DOTS 4-6 CHORD -
PAGE UP LEFT SHIFT+ROCKER BAR UP or RIGHT SHIFT+ROCKER BAR UP or DOTS 2-3-7 CHORD -
PAGE DOWN LEFT SHIFT+ROCKER BAR DOWN or RIGHT SHIFT+ROCKER BAR DOWN or DOTS 5-6-7 CHORD -
DELETE FOR CHORD DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6 CHORD
EQUALS DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6 -
RIGHT BRACKET DOTS 1-2-4-5-6-7 -
LEFT BRACKET DOTS 2-4-6-7 -
BACKSLASH DOTS 1-2-5-6-7 -
SLASH DOTS 3-4 -
RIGHT PARENTHESIS DOTS 2-3-4-5-6 -
APOSTROPHE DOT 3 -
DASH DOTS 3-6 -
GRAVE DOT 4 -
PERIOD DOTS 4-6 -
SEMICOLON DOTS 5-6 -
COMMA DOT 6 -

Navigation Commands

Use these keystrokes to perform various JAWS navigation commands. Both keystrokes and braille dot patterns are provided in the table. If no dot pattern equivalent is available, a dash appears in the table cell.


Navigation Commands
Description Keystroke DOTS Pattern
Say Prior Character DOT 3 CHORD -
Say Next Character DOT 6 CHORD -
Say Character DOTS 3-6 CHORD -
Say Prior Word DOT 2 CHORD -
Say Next Word DOT 5 CHORD -
Say Word DOTS 2-5 CHORD -
Say Prior Line DOT 1 CHORD or LEFT ROCKER BAR UP -
Say Next Line DOT 4 CHORD or LEFT ROCKER BAR DOWN -
Say Line C CHORD DOTS 1-4 CHORD
Say Prior Sentence LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ROCKER BAR UP -
Say Next Sentence LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ROCKER BAR DOWN -
Say Sentence LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT SHIFT+C LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-4
Say Prior Paragraph RIGHT SHIFT+LEFT ROCKER BAR UP -
Say Next Paragraph RIGHT SHIFT+LEFT ROCKER BAR DOWN -
Say Paragraph LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3-5-6-7-8 -
Move to Top of File L CHORD DOTS 1-2-3 CHORD
Move to Bottom of File DOTS 4-5-6 CHORD -
Say to Cursor RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-7 -
Say from Cursor RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 6-8 -
Say All DOTS 1-2-4-5-6 CHORD -
Say Top Line of Active Window LEFT ROCKER BAR UP+RIGHT ROCKER BAR UP -
Say Bottom Line of Active Window LEFT ROCKER BAR DOWN+RIGHT ROCKER BAR DOWN -
Previous Document Window DOTS 2-3 CHORD -
Next Document Window DOTS 5-6 CHORD -
Open List Box LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ROCKER BAR DOWN -
Close List Box LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ROCKER BAR UP -
Exit Forms Mode X CHORD DOTS 1-3-4-6 CHORD
Say Window Prompt and Text G CHORD DOTS 1-2-4-5 CHORD

Microsoft Word Navigation Quick Keys

Use these keystrokes to navigate Microsoft Word documents. Navigation Quick Keys must be enabled in order for these commands to function (DOT 8 CHORD, DOT 2 followed by DOTS 1-3-5-6). Note that you can add DOT 7 to most of the keystrokes in the table below to move to the previous element of that type in the document. Both keystrokes and braille dot patterns are provided in the table. If no dot pattern equivalent is available, a dash appears in the table cell.


Microsoft Word Navigation Quick Keys
Description Keystroke DOTS Pattern
Next Bookmark B DOTS 1-2
Next Comment C DOTS 1-4
Next Endnote E DOTS 1-5
Next Form Field F DOTS 1-2-4
Next Graphic G DOTS 1-2-4-5
Next Heading H DOTS 1-2-5
Next Footnote O DOTS 1-3-5
Next Paragraph P+DOT 8 DOTS 1-2-3-4-8
Previous Paragraph P+DOT 7 DOTS 1-2-3-4-7
Next Section S DOTS 2-3-4
Next Table T DOTS 2-3-4-5
Next Page SPACEBAR -
Previous Page BACKSPACE DOT 7

Text Selection Commands

Use these keystrokes to perform various text selection commands. Both keystrokes and braille dot patterns are provided in the table. If no dot pattern equivalent is available, a dash appears in the table cell.


Text Selection Commands
Description Keystroke DOTS Pattern
Select Prior Character DOTS 3-7 CHORD -
Select Next Character DOTS 6-7 CHORD -
Select Prior Word DOTS 2-7 CHORD -
Select Next Word DOTS 5-7 CHORD -
Select Prior Line DOTS 1-7 CHORD -
Select Next Line DOTS 4-7 CHORD -
Select Prior Screen LEFT SHIFT+K LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3
Select Next Screen LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-6 -
Select from Start of Line K+DOT 7 CHORD DOTS 1-3-7 CHORD
Select to End of Line DOTS 4-6-7 CHORD -
Select from Top L+DOTS 7 CHORD DOTS 1-2-3-7 CHORD
Select to Bottom DOTS 4-5-6-7 CHORD -
Move To Beginning Of Line ROCKER BAR UP+PANNING BUTTON -
Move To End Of Line ROCKER BAR DOWN+PANNING BUTTON -

Braille Commands

Use these keystrokes to configure various braille functions. Both keystrokes and braille dot patterns are provided in the table.


Braille Commands
Description Keystroke DOTS Pattern
Top of Document L CHORD DOTS 1-2-3 CHORD
Bottom of Document DOTS 4-5-6 CHORD DOTS 4-5-6 CHORD
Adjust Braille Verbosity DOTS 2-3-8 CHORD followed by DOTS 1-2 DOTS 2-3-8 CHORD followed by DOTS 1-2
Grade 2 Expand Current Word T CHORD DOTS 2-3-4-5 CHORD
Grade 2 Translation DOTS 1-2-4-5-7 CHORD DOTS 1-2-4-5-7 CHORD
Toggle Characters and Attributes CH Sign CHORD DOTS 1-6 CHORD
Toggle Marking M CHORD DOTS 1-3-4 CHORD
Toggle 8 Pixels per Space P CHORD DOTS 1-2-3-4 CHORD
Toggle 8/6 DOTS Braille 8 CHORD DOTS 2-3-6 CHORD
Color Marking Assign C CHORD DOTS 1-4 CHORD
Change Cursor Shape SH Sign CHORD DOTS 1-4-6 CHORD
Restrict Braille Cursor R CHORD DOTS 1-2-3-5 CHORD

Windows Commands

Use these keystrokes for basic editing functions in Windows.


Windows Commands
Description Braille Sign DOTS Pattern
ALT+TAB LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-5 LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-5
Paste from Clipboard LEFT SHIFT+V LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3-6
Copy to Clipboard LEFT SHIFT+C LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-4
Cut to Clipboard LEFT SHIFT+X LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3-4-6
Undo LEFT SHIFT+Z LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3-5-6
Delete LEFT SHIFT+D LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-4-5

Selection Commands

Use these keystrokes to select characters, lines, and other page elements.


Selection Commands
Description Braille Sign DOTS Pattern
Select Next Character LEFT SHIFT+DOT 6 LEFT SHIFT+DOT 6
Select Prior Character LEFT SHIFT+DOT 3 LEFT SHIFT+DOT 3
Select Next Line LEFT SHIFT+DOT 4 LEFT SHIFT+DOT 4
Select Prior Line LEFT SHIFT+DOT 1 LEFT SHIFT+DOT 1
Select to End of Line LEFT SHIFT+DOT 5 LEFT SHIFT+DOT 5
Select from Start of Line LEFT SHIFT+DOT 2 LEFT SHIFT+DOT 2
Select from Top LEFT SHIFT+L LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3
Select to Bottom LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-5-6 LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-5-6
Select Next Screen LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-6 LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-6
Select Prior Screen LEFT SHIFT+K LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3
Select All LEFT SHIFT+FOR Sign LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6
Select a Frame RIGHT SHIFT+9 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-5
Select a Heading RIGHT SHIFT+6 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3-5
Select a Link RIGHT SHIFT+7 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3-5-6

JAWS Commands

Use these keystrokes to perform some of the more common JAWS functions.


JAWS Commands
Description Braille Sign DOTS Pattern
JAWS Window RIGHT SHIFT+J RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-4-5
Adjust JAWS Verbosity RIGHT SHIFT+V RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3-6
Open Task List RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-5-6 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-5-6
List System Tray Icons RIGHT SHIFT+K RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3
Say System Time RIGHT SHIFT DOTS 1-2-3 RIGHT SHIFT DOTS 1-2-3
Drag and Drop RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-7 CHORD -
Refresh Screen RIGHT SHIFT+Z RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3-5-6
Say Font RIGHT SHIFT+F RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-4
Windows Keys Help RIGHT SHIFT+W RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-4-5-6
Read Current Window RIGHT SHIFT+B RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2
Default Button in Dialog RIGHT SHIFT+E RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-5
Shut DOWN JAWS RIGHT SHIFT+4 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-5-6
Select a Synthesizer RIGHT SHIFT+S RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3-4

Cursor Functions

Use these keystrokes to select a cursor for navigating JAWS.


Cursor Functions
Description Braille Sign DOTS Pattern
Route JAWS to PC RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-6 (MINUS Sign) RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-6
Route PC to JAWS RIGHT SHIFT+ING Sign (PLUS Sign) RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-4-6

Utility Functions

Use these keystrokes for general utility functions.


Utility Functions
Description Braille Sign DOTS Pattern
Run JAWS Manager RIGHT SHIFT+2 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3
Set Frame Top LEFT RIGHT SHIFT+OW Sign RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-4-6
Set Frame Bottom RIGHT RIGHT SHIFT+ER Sign RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-4-5-6
Graphics Labeler RIGHT SHIFT+G RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-4-5
JAWS Find RIGHT SHIFT+F CHORD RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-4 CHORD
JAWS Find Next RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-5 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-5

Using BrailleIn to Type with Contracted Braille

The BrailleIn feature lets you type in contracted braille using your Perkins-style keyboard. The input is immediately translated back as normal text in your current e-mail, document, or form. If an application or specific edit box does not support contracted braille, JAWS announces "Computer Braille" when tutor messages are enabled.

Contracted braille input is off by default. To turn it on, do the following:

  1. Open Settings Center, and search for and select Contracted Braille Translation.
  2. In the Contracted Braille Translation combo box, select Output Only, Input and Output, or Off.

    When set to Output Only, you can read contracted braille on your braille display, but you can only type in computer braille using the Perkins-style keyboard on your braille display. When set to Input and Output, you can both read and type in contracted braille using your braille display. When set to Off, you cannot read or type in contracted braille using your braille display.
  3. Save your changes and close Settings Center.


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